Converting to larger 73-79 rear brakes
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Converting to larger 73-79 rear brakes
Converting pre 73 trucks to power discs is becoming popular and I have a question about the rears. The axle was widened to track the front in 73, and the drums and shoes are larger as well. I tried to bolt the backing plate with drum onto the narrower axle but the drum rubbed. It looks like there would have to be a 1/4 or 5/16 in. spacer added to the axle to hold the drum out enough.
I would be interested in comments on converting to the wider rear axle on the pre 73 truck, and also on converting just to the wider brakes. The system was designed to work with the the bigger rear brakes, and I believe in converting everything over. I find my braking greatly improved, but have some concerns that too much braking is on the front discs. They are too touchy, got to feather them to keep the nose off the windshield.
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John
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I would be interested in comments on converting to the wider rear axle on the pre 73 truck, and also on converting just to the wider brakes. The system was designed to work with the the bigger rear brakes, and I believe in converting everything over. I find my braking greatly improved, but have some concerns that too much braking is on the front discs. They are too touchy, got to feather them to keep the nose off the windshield.
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John
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[link:www.ford-trucks.com/users/jowilker|My Club FTE Page] Member since 01 01
[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker/NCFTE.html|NCFTO] North Carolina Ford Truck Owners Group
In the cool still quiet of night, you can hear chevies rusting away.
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Joined: Feb 2000
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Converting to larger 73-79 rear brakes
John, Sounds like something is wrong if your brakes are that touchy. I had that problem on one that I converted years back and found that the brake booster was bad. I would swap it out and try that. I know it's not likely, but is there a chance that there is a kink in a rear brake line? I don't think you would notice any difference with larger brakes on the rear. Even if your rears weren't working hard enough I don't think it would make your braking "hyper" so to speak. You would just have to work your fronts harder to stop the truck and would feel the rear of the truck raise up when braking. The trucks that I have converted to discs stop just like the trucks that the parts came off of when operating properly. Good luck.
Mike/Ohio
Mike/Ohio
